Can we travel with our newborn baby? Is it safe to let her fly on a plane?
You will have to check with the specific airline that you are using. American Airlines, for example, says that they don't allow younger babies to fly, including "newborn babies (within seven days of delivery) unless parent or guardian has a medical certificate indicating travel is authorized."
Even if the airline said it was OK, that doesn't mean that it is a good idea, though. In addition to being stressful, traveling through an airport, on an airplane, and then visiting a lot of family would likely expose your child to viral illnesses, at a time when she doesn't have a strong immune system and hasn't had many shots. Unless travel was more essential, like if you just adopted a baby and need to get back home, it might be best to wait until your baby was older, with a more mature immune system and on a more predictable schedule, when he is two to three months old. { read more }
Can you use warm or hot water from the tap to make your baby's formula?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you should, "Never cook or mix infant formula using hot water from the tap." Many homes have plumbing with lead or lead solder and hot water can concentrate the lead. Running the water for 15 to 30 seconds and only using cold water can help reduce your baby's exposure to lead from tap water. { read more }
Do you have to boil the water when making baby formula?
While most brands of baby formula once recommended boiling as a part of their instructions, they now often recommend, "Asking your baby's doctor" or "local health department" instead. { read more }
